Coast Guard
ENGINEERING
Subspecialty

Officer Subspecialty

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Aids to Navigation

An officer subspecialty earned alongside a primary designator, marking advanced education or experience in this field.

Description

Aids to Navigation Subspecialty Officers establish, maintain, and operate short range Aids to Navigation systems for the promotion of safety of all mariners on and over the high seas and waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

Core Skills

  • navigation aid operations
  • buoy system management
  • maritime navigation
  • waterway hazard assessment
  • marine electronics
  • hydrographic positioning
  • maintenance planning
  • navigation safety reporting
  • field team coordination

Common Certifications

  • ABYC Marine Systems Certification
  • NMEA Advanced Marine Electronics Installer
  • FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License
  • STCW Basic Training
  • Merchant Mariner Credential
  • Certified Marine Electronics Technician (CMET)

Civilian Career Paths

  • ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
  • FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
  • PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Training & Development

Getting Started

  • FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License
  • STCW Basic Training
  • ABYC Marine Systems Certification
  • Certified Marine Electronics Technician (CMET)

Career Growth

  • NMEA Advanced Marine Electronics Installer
  • Merchant Mariner Credential
  • ABYC Marine Electrical Certification
  • Certified Hydrographer

Data sourced from official Coast Guard publications and public military occupational references. Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.